Hanoi, December 4 (VNA) – Vietnam on December 4 observed a day of national mourning for Fidel Castro to express condolences and gratitude to the revolutionary leader of Cuba, who passed away on November 25.

People queued up at the Cuban Embassy in Hanoi for their turn to pay tribute to Fidel on the day, also the last day the condolence book for the Cuban leader remained open at the embassy.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Herminio Lopez Diaz said the embassy was surprised at and moved by Vietnamese people’s sentiments towards Fidel.

Hundreds of delegations, including Party, State and Government leaders, representatives of ministries, agencies, localities and foreign embassies, and Vietnamese of all social strata, have paid homage to the late leader since November 28, he said.

“Vietnamese’s sentiments towards Fidel demonstrate that the late leader is the symbol of the fraternal solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba,” the ambassador stressed.

The diplomat said he himself and Cuban people have kept in mind Fidel’s spirit that “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood.”

Fidel Castro, who was Commander-in-chief of the Cuban revolution, former First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee (CPC), and former President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, died on November 25 night (Havana time) at the age of 90.

Cuba announced nine days of national mourning for him from November 26 to December 4. Fidel will be interred in a cemetery in Santiago city on December 4 (local time).